Eco-conscious or eco-anxious? : an exploration of eco-anxiety within the Maltese context using a mixed-methods research design

Abstract

As the world and its ecological features undergo transformative shifts, individuals are navigating diverse emotional responses. Central to these emotions is eco-anxiety, marked by a deep concern for the environment and the future of our planet. This complex eco-emotion is recognised for its dual impact, alternately motivating or impeding pro-environmental actions. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design, this study aimed to explore eco-anxiety in Maltese adults. A quantitative survey (n = 243) measured eco-anxiety using the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale, alongside climate-related news exposure, anxiety about environmental events and personal impacts, pro-environmental intentions (PEIs), and pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs). Subsequently, four focus groups (n = 26) were conducted and analysed through abductive thematic analysis. The results were triangulated and synthesised to answer the research questions in light of the study’s theoretical framework. Individuals working in a climate change-related job showed significantly higher eco-anxiety scores, and climate news exposure, anxiety about environmental events and personal impacts, PEIs and PEBs significantly and positively correlated with eco-anxiety. Focus group discussions unveiled predominantly negative emotional responses to the global and local ecological crises, explored in relation to values, attitudes, efficacy beliefs, and engagement, alongside the media’s role. This study offers implications for environmental theory, therapeutic practice and media, emphasising the need for meaning-focused coping and opportunity-focused approaches that promote practical eco-anxiety and eco-hope as buffers against paralysing eco-anxiety to foster meaningful pro-environmental engagement on individual and collective levels.